Pinales, TinCaps blank Loons in series opener

MIDLAND, Mich. – The TinCaps opened their six-game road series against the Great Lakes Loons (Dodgers affiliate) with a 7-0 victory. Starting pitcher Enmanuel Pinales earned the win with six innings of work.

Pinales, 23, struck out six and yielded just three singles and a walk. For the season, he lowered his ERA to 3.25, the sixth lowest in the Midwest League. The circuit is batting just .205 against him this year, the third lowest average.

As Pinales shoved, Fort Wayne (6-10, 34-48) took a 2-0 lead in the third. Third baseman Devin Ortiz delivered a two-out, two-run single with a line drive to left field with the bases loaded.

The ‘Caps added insurance with another pair in the sixth. Second baseman Nerwilian Cedeño drove in a run with a safety-squeeze bunt and catcher Ethan Salas (No. 1 Padres prospect) came through with a two-out RBI single to make it 4-0.

The TinCaps tacked on three more in the ninth with just one hit in the frame as first baseman Romeo Sanabria walked with the bases loaded, as did Oritz, and another run scored on a wild pitch.

Center fielder Homer Bush Jr. (No. 8 Padres prospect) was on base three times with two singles and a walk. He also stole two bases, raising his season total to 42, second most in the Midwest League and fifth most in all of Minor League Baseball.

Shortstop Nik McClaughry also recorded a pair of hits, including a double. Meanwhile, Sanabria was on base a game-high four times with three walks and a hit-by-pitch.

Following Pinales, Bradgley Rodriguez (No. 28 Padres prospect) pitched two perfect innings of relief and left-hander Jackson Smoltz , the Purdue alum from Lafayette, faced the minimum in the ninth.

This was Fort Wayne’s fifth shutout win of the season and second in as many Tuesdays on the road. The ‘Caps blanked Lansing last week.

Next Game: Tuesday, July 9 @ Great Lakes (7:05pm)

– TinCaps Probable Starter: LHP Jagger Haynes (No. 18 Padres prospect)

– Loons Probable Starter: RHP Patrick Copen

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